GUIDELINES IN PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY, HEPATOLOGY AND NUTRITION
Caustic ingestion in children
Marco Deganello Saccomani1, Paola De Angelis2
1U.O.C. di Pediatria, Ospedale della Donna e del Bambino, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Italia 2U.O.S. Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Roma, Italia
Caustic ingestion is relatively rare in children but it can result in severe morbidity. A correct and timely management is crucial to avoid significant damage and to prevent complications. The severity and the extension of the lesions depend on several factors including age, pre-existing medical conditions, nature and amount of substance ingested. An endoscopic evaluation is often needed to assess the extent of the damage and to start appropriate therapy. The Italian Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition (SIGENP) together with the Italian Association of Gastroenterologists and Hospital Endoscopists (AIGO) recently published the first Italian guidelines for the management of caustic ingestion in children.